Objective
In Goa, players lead a trading company trying to establish the largest and most prosperous colony. The objective is to have the most victory points (VP) at the end of the game. These points are mainly achieved through developing various development levels and by collecting tiles and cards.
Components
- Game Board: The central board shows a map of Goa with different tile spaces.
- Tiles: These represent resources, settlements, and special abilities.
- Player Boards: Each player has a personal board showing their development and resources.
- Cards: Various cards provide special victory points or resources.
- Markers and Figures: Used to indicate developments or mark positions on the board.
Gameplay
1. Round Structure
The game is played over several rounds, each consisting of an auction phase and an action phase.
2. Auction Phase
During the auction phase, players bid on the tiles present on the central board. These tiles can represent resources, new colonies, or special actions. All bids are made in ducats (the currency in the game). - Starting Player: One player is designated as the starting player and can choose the first tile to bid on. - Bidding Round: Players bid in turn; the highest bidder wins. - Payment: The winning bidder pays the amount to the bank and takes the tile.
3. Action Phase
After the auctions, players enter the action phase, where they can activate their acquired tiles. - Each player has a certain number of actions per round depending on their development progress. - Typical Actions include collecting resources, advancing colonial development, drawing cards, or performing special actions.
4. Development and Resources
Each player has different development tracks for areas like shipping, plantations, and expeditions. - Progress: Certain actions allow progress along these tracks, providing permanent bonuses. - Resource Management: Players must manage resources needed to perform actions.
5. End of Round and Winning the Game
At the end of each round, check if the game objective is met. The game ends after a set number of rounds or when a player reaches a certain level of advancement. - Final Scoring: Points are tallied based on progress, collected tiles, and card effects.
Strategic Tips
- Aim for balanced growth across all development tracks. A unilateral advancement might be beneficial but also risky.
- Resource acquisition is crucial since actions depend on having the right resources.
- Closely observe which tiles other players bid for to anticipate their strategies and counteract them.
Enjoy playing Goa!
